NPN Celebrates 20 Years with Stephanie Atkins

 •  8 minute read

Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, poses for a selfie with the Frank Lloyd Wright building "Falling Water" in background.
Stephanie Atkins, NPN Director of Southern Programs

Stephanie Atkins joined NPN in the months after Hurricane Katrina, as the city was just starting to recover. A visual artist and former school teacher in the Orleans Parish School District, Stephanie went from managing a classroom of feisty students to overseeing the hectic schedule of NPN’s president and CEO at the time, MK Wegmann, as NPN directed resources to assist in the post-Katrina rebuilding of New Orleans’ organizations and artists.

In 2009, she moved from Executive Assistant to Resource Development Specialist. Then in 2015 she was named Director of Local Programs, and in 2019 she became Director of Southern Programs, where she directs funding initiatives and support for artists and communities of color in New Orleans and the South.

As she’s moved through various roles at NPN over the past 20 years, Stephanie has collected a fair share of stories, but you’ll have to ask her about them directly:

“When someone joins the NPN staff, there are retellings of great stories and funny memories from unforgettable performances at past conferences, as well as quotable one-liners from NPN Partners meetings. It took a while before I could join in with the ‘remember that time when we…,’ or ‘remember the artist who did…’ moments, which helped me feel more connected to NPN’s evolving story. I did not imagine that 20 years later, my life memories and work experiences would be intertwined with NPN’s continuing history. I’m proud of the work I’ve accomplished while on the NPN staff over the past 20 years.

“Do you want to hear a good story? I got plenty to tell!”

Please join NPN in celebrating Stephanies’s tenure with us over the past 20 years.

Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, poses with a Black man and another Black women in an art gallery. Stephanie leans in from the right. In the lower middle of the photo, the Black man, who is wearing a tan and black fedora, leans forward and smiles as he holds up a bottle of Tope Chico mineral water. The other Black woman stands behind him with a small yellow paper shopping bag in her right hand. Two other women of color stand in the background, partially obscured by the trio.
A group of four Black people pose for a photo at an indoor event. On the left, a woman wears a red patterned wrap, a black scarf, and a matching headwrap adorned with a large red feather. Next to her is Stephanie Atkins, wearing glasses and a black quilted jacket. To her right, a younger woman with dark, braided hair wears a colorful, patterned dress. Behind and to the right of her, a man with a shaved head and a gray scarf smiles toward the camera. Other people are partially visible in the background, which appears to be a gallery or event space with white walls.
Stephanie Atkins and DVCAI founder Rosie Gordon-Wallace, two Black women, pose together for a photo outside on a sidewalk. Behind them, other members of their group walk across the sidewalk to an unseen destination.
Stephanie Atkins stands with Caitlin Strokosch as they smile for a selfie. Each of them is wearing a black sweatshirt with the text "art changes everything" in white letters printed across the front. Caitlin is holding the camera above them so that their matching sweatshirts are fully visible.
Stephanie Atkins stands next to Caitlin Strokosch in a full length photo that shows they are dressed in similar black one-piece suits that zip up the front, and sandals with black straps. The each have one hand on their hip and are turned slightly toward each other as they smile at the camera.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman wearing a white blouse and dark pants, stands in an indoor space that has been decorated for a celebration, with round paper lanterns of various colors hanging above her, and strings of clear lights wrapped around the rafters. The space is fairly dark, and Stephanie is illuminated by a bright pink light. She is holding a drink in one hand and looking off to the side.
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“Stephanie brings incredible care, curiosity, deliberation, humor, and style to NPN, and our Southern Programs has absolutely exploded through her leadership! While I’d never pretend to be able to elevate to her level of style, the day we accidentally twinned at the office was one of my favorite Stephanie moments.”

Caitlin Strokosch

President and CEO

NPN

Stanlyn Brevé

Director of National Programs

NPN

Stanlyn Brevé

Director of National Programs

NPN

Carey Fountain

Multidisciplinary Artist, Musician & Cultural Strategist, Founder

Vibes & Virtues

Sage Crump

Director of Racial Justice and Movement Building

NPN

Close up photo of Stephanie Atkins in profile, sitting at a long table in what appears to be a conference hall. The colors of the photo have been adjusted so that the background is a dark reddish-orange, with Stephanie illuminated by a bright, warm white camera flash. Her hand is in motion and she appears to have been photographed while speaking to someone out of frame.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, stands between two other women of color as the three smile for a group selfie in a restaurant during the daytime.
Stephanie poses with two other women at a table in a restaurant. On the left side of the photo is a white woman with dark shoulder-length hair. In the center is Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman. On the right is a Black woman with black hair almost to the shoulders.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, poses for a selfie next to two white women in a restaurant during the daytime.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, leans in with her cheek pressed against the cheek of another Black woman, Louise Mouton Johnson, as they smile for the camera. They are standing outside in front of a set of blue wooden doors.
Stephanie Atkins poses with Bryan Graham at the 2025 NPN Conference. Above their heads in the background is a sign reading, "It's Different Fashions," next to a display of clothing and photos.

“Thank you for compassionately witnessing my work, community, and the evolution of my practice. Your thoughtfulness and kindness has impacted me in ways I can’t express. Thank you for all that you do that’s not always seen, and everything that is made better because you exist.”

With deep gratitude,

Nana Kumi

Independent Artist

Gholden Alchemy

A black and white drawing of Angela Davis resting her chin on her hand and looking off to one side. She occupies the right side of the composition. The left side consists of black text over a white background. The text begins with the word "Powershot," followed by a quote, "Progressive art can assist people to learn not only about the objective forces at work in the society... Ultimately, it can propel people toward social emancipation," followed by the name "Angela Davis." Underneath this text, in the lower left corner, is a drawing of a small coffee cup with steam rising from it.

“Since long before you invested in our dream here, you carried the torch of change with steady hands and an open heart. You dare to imagine a world without. You are a classy reminder of the power of WE. You’re a calm storm with the unique ability to bring people from the edges into the center. I think I can speak for many when I say you are a blinging example of the butterfly effect…a true world changer. I’m so glad you’re on our side. May the ancestors continually aid you and may the peace of a thousand sabbaths be yours. Please accept the attached PowerShot for continued inspiration.

A black and white drawing of Angela Davis resting her chin on her hand and looking off to one side. She occupies the right side of the composition. The left side consists of black text over a white background. The text begins with the word "Powershot," followed by a quote, "Progressive art can assist people to learn not only about the objective forces at work in the society... Ultimately, it can propel people toward social emancipation," followed by the name "Angela Davis." Underneath this text, in the lower left corner, is a drawing of a small coffee cup with steam rising from it.

“In utmost gratitude, I shout out from that curious space place that is Huntsville, Alabama representing the United Federation of Artistic Minds (UFAM).”

In true regard, I am

John “Jahni“ Moore

Interdisciplinary Artist

jahnitheartist.com

Hali Dardar

Co-founder of the Houma Language Project and Bvlbancha Public Access

halidardar.substack.com

Chasah and Charliese West aka The West Sisters

Co-owners

Set West LLC

“Stephanie is the type of person who listens to understand and not respond. The moment I realized how much she cared about the work and representation of the south, I instantly felt safe. Her movement is safe. That’s power in a world that requires us to be so rigid and hard.”

TC Caldwell

Communications Director

The Knights & Orchids Society (TKO)

“I began attending NPN Conferences in 2010, and since then I have seen and experienced all the support Stephanie gives to the artists. She is always present when one needs her, no matter the circumstances. She is a good friend and a wonderful leader. Thank you Stephanie for representing us artists at every event you are a part of.”

Best,

Samuel Valdez

Actor, Playwright, Director, and Founder

CARPA San Diego

Three people pose together indoors, likely at a restaurant or bar, with framed photos covering one wall and the American flag hanging from the ceiling. The windows behind them open to a brightly lit street, and the bright sunlight blows out the highlights in the photo and leaves the three people in shadow. On the left is Stephanie Atkins, wearing glasses and an orange wrap. In the middle is a woman with dark, wavy hair and wearing a dark top under a blue denim dress. She is smiling and has her arms around the shoulders of the other two figures. On the right, a man with short hair and wearing a light purple collared shirt is laughing with his mouth open.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, poses in profile with a white woman behind her who is looking over Stephanie's shoulder at the camera. Both women are smiling. Stephanie is holding a smartphone, and the other woman is holding a drink. It is nighttime, and behind them is a temporary tent structure with several dozen people gathered in a celebration.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman wearing a short sleeved white blouse and denim blue jeans, stands next to a white man wearing a blue button-down shirt and gray pants. They are in what appears to be a conference room. Stephanie is holding a piece of paper in front of them and they are both staring at it. Behind them, affixed to the wall, are large pieces of white paper covered in writing.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, sits at a cloth covered dining table surrounded by men and women of various ethnicities. The dinner guests are smiling and laughing as they chat with each other. There are large, stemmed glasses filled with iced water on the table, as well as place settings. The photo is framed so that Stephanie is the only person seen from the front, with the other guests shown in profile or from behind.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, stands in a conference room holding a wireless microphone in her right hand, and smiles as she addresses an unseen audience. The photo is taken from the audience's point of view, so Stephanie appears to be smiling at and addressing the camera. Hanging from her neck is a name badge on a long white string.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, sits next to a white woman on a couch at what appears to be a nighttime event. The two women are leaning into each other and smiling warmly at the camera.
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“Stephanie has been a longtime friend for whom I have a great deal of respect. She has dedicated her life to helping other artists, which is something I deeply admire. I first met her in the early 1990s when she was a Gifted and Talented Arts teacher at McDonogh #15 Elementary School in the French Quarter, where our son Keith Jr. was her student.

“I have also known Stephanie as an exceptionally talented artist. Keith and I had the privilege of exhibiting our work alongside hers at the Tolliver Art Gallery, the gallery space of the late artist William Tolliver in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia. I still have the beautiful invitation announcement from that exhibition.

“I have always loved the work she created and often encouraged her to continue pursuing her own art. However, she chose a different path. Through her many years within the National Performance Network organization, where she has risen to an administrative role, she has devoted herself to supporting and uplifting artists like myself and many others here in the New Orleans area, and undoubtedly beyond. In 2013, we shared the experience of an Arts and Culture leadership conference with the Rockwood Leadership Institute as cohort members in upstate New York, where we were also roommates.

“Stephanie is a soft spoken, beautiful, and intelligent woman with a warm and caring spirit. I truly appreciate and love her, and I feel grateful to have her as a genuine friend.”

Sincerely,

Chandra McCormick & Keith Calhoun

L9 Center for the Arts

Devonta Ravizee

Musician, Producer, and Filmmaker

ravizeenation.com

Jazzie Jelks

Artist, Writer, Dancer, Entrepreneur, Trailblazer

jazziejelks.myportfolio.com

Watch Lucy and Ethel rehearse “Friendship” 🎵

June Wilson

Executive Director

Compton Foundation

“Stephanie is a true visionary and fierce advocate for Southern Artists. Learning about how she’s designed and grown NPN’s Southern Programs has been inspiring and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with her. She’s had a major impact in the field and SoPro’s artists love her because they know she’s their champion.”

Daniel Pruksarnukul

Program Associate

NPN

Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman wearing a light gray t-shirt and dark rimless sunglasses, stands outdoors on a sunny afternoon next to an Indigenous woman wearing yellow framed sunglasses and a tan western style shirt with mother-of-pearl cuff buttons and embroidered flowers in red and turquoise on the chest. The woman is gently pulling on a long stem from a plant and pointing at it as she speaks. Stephanie is holding a small red flower near her chest and directing her focus at the plant as she listens.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman wearing a white sleeveless blouse and black pants, stands outside on a bright sunny day and listens to a second Black woman with long braids wearing white ruffled blouse over a black dress. The woman is gesturing as she speaks. The trees, moss, and bushes behind them create a lush green and brown background. In the far right distance stands a white house next to a series of other partially visible buildings.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, stands in front of beige curtains in a public indoor space and speaks into a wireless microphone that she holds in her right hand. In her left hand is a paper to-go coffee cup. She is flanked by two other people, a white man on the left and a woman of color on the right.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, stands in a parking lot on a sunny cold spring day and looks down at a book she is holding open in both hands. Next to her stands an Indigenous man who is smiling and watching her look at the book. She is wearing sunglasses and a light blue denim outfit underneath a quilted gray shawl-like coat. The man is wearing a navy blue windbreaker and blue denim jeans, dark sunglasses, a blue head wrap, and a wide flat brimmed black hat with a small brown and black feather on one side.
A group of people are seated in a row on a wooden bench inside a bright, high-ceilinged room. From left to right: Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman with blonde highlights and glasses and wearing a vibrant green tropical-print shirt; Caitlin Strokosch, a woman with a blonde, spiky haircut and wearing an orange and white patterned dress; a white woman with curly hair and wearing a colorful tropical-print dress; a woman of color with curly hair and wearing a bright yellow dress; and three men seated further down the bench, all wearing blazers. Two additional men stand in the background on the right. The room features white walls, a large window, and exposed brick on the far right.
Stephanie Atkins, a Black woman, is standing with another Black woman in a warmly lit brown hallway and staring at something the other woman is holding. Stephanie is wearing a quilted black jacket and has a black leather purse strap crossing her chest. The other woman is wearing a black and white knitted top, a blue denim jacket, and a black scarf. Out of focus behind them, a woman with dark hair and wearing all black has opened a door and appears to be walking into a room.

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